by Gilda Bonanno LLC
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
As you enter the workforce, you’ll quickly discover that strong communication skills matter in every professional environment whether you’re working in person, remotely, or in a hybrid setting.
Technical knowledge and academic achievement are important, but your ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and professionally will often shape how others perceive your competence, leadership potential, and readiness for greater responsibility.
And in an era of hybrid work and AI-generated communication, strong human communication skills stand out even more.
Below are 10 practical communication habits that can help new graduates make a positive impression and build professional credibility early in their careers.
1. Make Eye Contact
In most Western business settings, maintaining appropriate eye contact conveys confidence, respect, and engagement. Whether you’re speaking with a senior executive, a client, or a colleague, eye contact helps build connection and trust.
2. Be Concise
Have a clear message and get to the point. Share the information your audience needs rather than everything you know. Concise communication demonstrates clarity of thought and respect for people’s time.
3. Reduce Filler Words
Overusing words such as “um,” “like,” or “you know” can weaken your message and make you sound uncertain. Instead of filling every pause, allow yourself a moment to think before continuing. Silence is often more powerful than filler.
4. Eliminate “Uptalk”
When every statement sounds like a question, you may unintentionally project uncertainty. Practice ending statements with a calm, steady tone to communicate confidence and credibility.
5. Skip the Self-Undermining Preamble
Avoid beginning with phrases such as:
- “This may be a stupid idea…”
- “I’m probably wrong, but…”
- “I’m not sure if this makes sense…”
While humility and openness to feedback are important, unnecessary disclaimers can weaken your message before you even begin.
6. Learn the Communication Culture
Every organization has its own communication norms. Some audiences prefer concise bullet points and data. Others respond more strongly to stories, visuals, or discussion.
Observe how information is typically communicated before deciding how to adapt - or eventually try to improve - those norms.
7. Manage Your Nerves
Feeling nervous before speaking is normal, especially early in your career. Slow, deep breathing can help steady your voice and reduce physical tension. Calm body language often creates the appearance of confidence even before you fully feel it internally.
8. Speak Up in Meetings
Thoughtful participation helps people recognize your capabilities and perspective. Asking a good question or contributing a useful observation can help build your professional reputation over time.
This is especially important in hybrid and virtual environments where visibility can otherwise be limited.
9. Use a Clear, Strong Voice
Make sure you are speaking loudly and clearly enough to be easily understood. Enunciate your words and avoid trailing off at the ends of sentences, especially in virtual meetings where audio quality may not always be ideal.
10. Practice and Get Feedback
Communication skills are exactly that - skills. They can be learned, practiced, refined, and improved over time.
Even highly experienced executives, professional speakers, and performers continue to rehearse and seek expert feedback. Consistent deliberate practice and targeted coaching can accelerate your growth dramatically.
Final Thoughts
The greatest communicators are not necessarily the loudest or most naturally outgoing people. In many cases, they are simply the people who have learned to communicate with clarity, confidence, preparation, and intention.
As you begin your professional journey, remember that communication skills are career skills. The ability to present ideas clearly, contribute thoughtfully, and connect with others professionally will continue to serve you throughout your career.
© Gilda Bonanno LLC - Gilda Bonanno serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with companies on 4 continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome. The instructional videos on her YouTube channel have received over 1.5 million views and her e-newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008. For other articles or to receive Gilda's e-newsletter, visit www.gildabonanno.com